Nehemiah 5
People hungry verse 1- 2
And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives
against their brethren the Jews
For there were that said
We – our sons – our daughters are many
therefore we take up corn for them
that we may eat – and live
People in debt verse 3
Some also there were that said
We have mortgaged our lands – vineyards – houses
that we might buy corn – BECAUSE of the dearth
Children sold to pay debt verse 4- 5
There were also that said
We have borrowed money for the king’s tribute
and that on our lands and vineyards
Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren
our children as their children and – lo
we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters
to be servants
And some of our daughters are brought into bondage already
neither is it in our power to redeem them
for other men have our lands and vineyards
Nehemiah angry over reason for debt verse 6- 7
And I was very angry when I heard their cry
and these words
THEN I consulted with myself
and I rebuked the nobles and the rulers
and said to them
You exact usury every one of his brother
And I set a great assembly against them
Nehemiah confronts nobles and rulers verse 8
And I
said to them
We after our ability – have redeemed our brethren the Jews
which were sold to the heathen
And will you even sell your brethren?
Or shall they be sold unto us?
THEN held they their peace
and found nothing to answer
Nehemiah tells them his solutions to the problem verse 9- 11
Also I said
It is not good that you do ought you not to walk in the fear of our God
BECAUSE of the reproach of the heathen our enemies?
I likewise – and my brethren – and my servants
might exact of them money and corn – I pray you
let us leave off this usury
Restore – I pray you – to them – even THIS day – their lands
Vineyards – olive yards – houses
also the hundredth part of the money
corn – wine – oil that ye exact of them
Nobles and rulers swear to restore verse 12
THEN said they
We will RESTORE them – and will require nothing of them
so will we do as you say
THEN I called the priests – and took an oath of them
that they should do according to this promise
Nehemiah curses those who don’t keep promise verse 13
Also I shook my lap
and said
So God shake out every man from his house – labor
that performs not this promise
even thus be he shaken out – and emptied
And all the congregation
said
AMEN – and PRAISED THE LORD
And the people did according to this promise
Nehemiah never took anything from the people verse 14- 15
Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor
in the land of Judah – from the twentieth year
even to the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king
that is twelve years – I and my brethren have not eaten
the bread of the governor
BUT the former governors that had been before me were chargeable
to the people – and had taken of them bread and wine
beside forty shekels of silver
Yea – even their servants bare rule over the people
BUT so did not I – because of the FEAR of God
Nehemiah dedicated himself to the work verse 16- 18
Yea – also I continued in the work of this wall – neither bought we any land
and all my servants were gathered thither to the work
Moreover there were at my table an hundred and fifty of the Jews and rulers
beside those that came to us from among the heathen that are about us
Now that which was prepared for me DAILY was one ox – six choice sheep
also fowls were prepared for me – and once in ten days
store of all sorts of wine – yet for all this required not I
the bread of the governor
BECAUSE the bondage was heavy upon this people
Nehemiah’s prayer verse 19
Think on me my God – for good
according to all that I have done for this people
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 6 And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words. (8085 “heard” [shama] means to receive a communication from someone, to understand things heard, understand, received news, or to hear concerning)
DEVOTION: The people were complaining because they were being mistreated by those who were wealthy in the community. Things had been bad before Nehemiah came. There was a famine that caused people to lose everything. There had been times when the crops were not coming in and people needed to borrow money from those who were rich. Some even had to give their children to be servants to the rich because they couldn’t pay their debts. Some just couldn’t pay their taxes when they were due.
So there was a gap between the rich and the poor as there is even today. However, this was a community that was supposed to be honoring the LORD. Those who had the money were not obeying the commands of the LORD regarding lending money with interest to fellow Israelites. This was a sin.
Nehemiah had to deal with this sin in the camp and he was angry that it even existed. It was hard enough to deal with external problems let alone those in the family of God.
This is true today as well. It would be good if fellow believers treated their family in the faith with grace and mercy. This doesn’t happen all the time. Many times we hurt each other and this is not pleasing to the LORD. HE wants us to work together to show the world what genuine followers of HIM act like.
Sometimes it is not easy but that is what the LORD expects of HIS servants. How are we treating our fellow believers? How are we helping our fellow believers who have needs that we can meet?
Leadership has to set the example and make sure that when righteous anger is necessary we show it to those who are not treating fellow believers properly. It is better if we correct the problem rather than God having to come and just the congregation for not dealing with it properly.
Remember the warnings of Jesus concerning taking the candlestick from churches because they were not faithful to the LORD.
CHALLENGE: Many churches are closing today and it might be that some are losing their influence because of their lack of faithfulness to the doctrines of the faith and/or their treatment of each other.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 13 Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labor, that performs not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the LORD. And the people did according to this promise. (1697 “promise” [dabar] means word, matter, a brief statement, word of command, or charge)
DEVOTION: Promises were made between fellow Israelites. The promise was that those who had taken advantage of a situation would restore property and possessions to those who had been taken advantage of. This was due to a promise the nobles made in front of the whole congregation.
Nehemiah proclaimed a curse on anyone who didn’t keep their promise from this time forward. He did an action that was typical in that day of shaking his robe as a symbol of God shaking those individuals who didn’t keep the promise. When God had to shake those individuals they would know that it was God taking away their homes and possessions.
This action pleased all the people because no one likes to be taken advantage of by those who have more than they do. It is not pleasing to them or to God. God wants us to help each other as best we can.
The last phrase states that the people who promised kept their promise. When we promise to do something we need to do it to the best of our ability whether we are dealing with possessions or just promises to help others in their time of need.
Too many times we have those who are fellow servants of the LORD promising to do something that they never do for the LORD regarding helping their fellow believers. If you promise to do something – do it. It honors the LORD and gives a good witness to the rest of the world.
These nobles were going to act in a way that was pleasing to the LORD and to the people from that point on. Many of them kept their promise.
CHALLENGE: Remember that judgment from the LORD is real. HE can take blessings away as well as give them to those who are HIS children.
________________________________________________________________
: 15 But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable to the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver: yea, even their servants bare rule over the people; but so did not I, because of the fear of God. (7980 “bare rule” [shalat] means give power, to have or gain or exercise power over, to rule or exercise power over in a cruel and autocratic manner, get the mastery, or lord it over)
DEVOTION: We have people in our world who like to have control over other people. It can happen in a marriage. It can happen at some colleges where the majority is one color of skin and others are of another color of skin.
Here we have the children of Israel being lorded over by those who live in the land. They were given their property back by the king but the people of the land didn’t like them and told lies about them and taxed them to death.
Nehemiah came to this situation and tried to change what was happening. It took a lot of work and he had to arm the people to protect themselves against those who didn’t want them there.
Today we find that this is still happening in some area of our world. Even here in America we still have some people trying to lord it over those of different nationality. It is not right. The LORD wants us to treat everyone fairly.
Today, we even have Christian colleges that don’t treat people of a different color as they should in their programs. It is sad to see this happen and yet it does even today. I was on the board of a group that were of a different color than myself. It was something that I enjoyed as I taught in the inner city people who wanted to learn more about the Bible. They worked hard to pass the class.
I traveled with the director of the group and he was of another color and the people I visited were of the same color and I was the only one of my color. It was interesting as they met me for the first time.
We still have to work at our relationship with all those who God has on this earth. In my last church we started a group of another nationality with a Bible study and time of singing. I didn’t understand the language and they told me that if I would live with them for a month I would learn it but none volunteered to have me in their home for the month. Ha, ha. I would lead the Bible study and enjoyed their food. It was a great time of fellowship.
We need to make sure that we are working with all nationalities in love. God wants us to make sure that we follow the example of Jesus. HE went to people of all nationalities and told them the truth of the Gospel. Many of the Jews didn’t like his practice.
CHALLENGE: Are we treating everyone one the same way Jesus would treat them? If not, we need to change.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 18 Now that which was prepared for me daily was one ox and six choice sheep; also, fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days store of all sorts of wine: yet for all this required not I the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy upon this people. (3899 “bread” [lechem] means food, grain, provision, loaves, and victual.)
DEVOTION: Have you ever had someone take advantage of you? Have you ever taken advantage of someone when they are down? Here we find the nobles and the rulers were taking advantage of the common people. They were charging usury for the loans they were giving to the people. Remember that the LORD commanded the children of Israel not to charge usury to their fellow Israelite. Usury is interest. They charged so much interest that they were taking all of the possessions and even the children of the people.
Nehemiah never took the pay for his office as governor. He saw that the people were in bondage to others. He didn’t add another bondage. He could have taken it. It was due him.
He used this argument against the nobles and rulers who were taking advantage of the people. He confronted them with the truth of their actions. He called an assembly and told them that they needed to give it all back plus part of the interest. They agreed. He made them promise with an oath that they would do it in front of the people. Everyone said Amen and Praised the LORD.
It was a good time period in Jerusalem. The people were going to be fed and have their houses back. They could go back to the work with security of having a home and family to go home to.
We are to help the fellow servants of the LORD. Sometimes when something is due us we should forget it to help others. Does someone owe us something? What should we do? Should we add to their burden, if they are unable to pay it? Nehemiah confronted the nobles and leaders who were profiting at the expense of their fellow believers. They forgave the debt. Praise the LORD. Are we forgiving others their debts to us?
CHALLENGE: God will always honor our help to others if we have the right attitude. We are to be givers and not takers in our world. There are way too many takers in our world. Be a giver!!!! Nehemiah gave us a good example to follow.
_____________________________________________________
: 19 Think upon me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people. (2142 “Think” [zakar] means remember, to take to court, mindful, recall, to contemplate, or preserve)
DEVOTION: Nehemiah’s main thought regarding his life is that God would recall the good he did while governor of Jerusalem area.
He had no problem wanting the LORD to be mindful of ALL that he had done while in office. He didn’t regret any part of his time spent in Jerusalem dealing with the enemies of Israel or dealing with the problems between the rich and the poor of the nation. He tried to be a good leader and wanted the LORD to reward him accordingly.
It would be great if all of us could say that during a period of time when the LORD had given us a special assignment, we did our assignment well and could pray the same prayer to the LORD.
Our lives are always before the LORD and HE knows what we are doing and why we are doing it the way we are doing it. HE knows our attitudes and actions. HE knows what motivates us and whether it is for HIS glory or our own personal glory.
Nehemiah didn’t want to have the wrong attitude and this should be our goal in any position the LORD gives us at present and in the future. HIS glory should be our motivational attitude. It should always be with a servant attitude when we are dealing with HIS people.
He didn’t lord it over the people of Israel and neither should we ever think about our position as one of lord. Pastors have to watch their attitude the most as they are in positions of authority.
Recently we have had a pastor in the news that seemed to have a wrong attitude but instead of helping him with a recovery it seems like many are just shooting our wounded. We need to make sure that if we have a leader who is struggling, we are there to help them return to a place of service rather than saying they are done and move on.
It matters most what the LORD remembers rather than what those around us remember.
CHALLENGE: God is going to remember how we handle both good and bad attitudes toward us whether we remain confident that HE is going to help us through all phases of our life.
___________________________________________________________________
DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Nehemiah prays verse 19
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
Priests verse 12
Took an oath from the leaders to
keep their promise
______________________________________________________________
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
God – Elohim (Creator, Sovereign) verse 9, 13, 15, 19
Fear of our God verse 9
LORD – Jehovah (Personal, Covenant keeping) verse 13
Fear of God verse 15
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Heathen (Jews enemies) verse 8, 9, 17
Artaxeerxes verse 14
Appointed Nehemiah governor
from 20th year til 32nd year
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Causing fellow believers to cry verse 1
Charging usury [interest] on loans verse 7, 10
Holding peace when actions is necessary verse 8
Not walking in the fear of the LORD verse 9
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Brethren verse 1, 5
Redeem verse 5, 8
Righteous anger verse 6
Rebuke fellow believers verse 7
Walk in fear of our God verse 9
Not charge usury verse 10
Restoration necessary verse 11, 12
Land, vineyards, olive yards, houses,
100th part of money, corn, wine, oil,
Require NOTHING of them
Promise (oath) verse 12, 13
Praise the LORD verse 13
Fear of God verse 15
Prayer verse 19
Doing good verse 19
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Cry against the Jewish leaders verse 1
Rich were treating poor wrong
Making them mortgage their homes
Making them borrow money to
paid king’s tribute
Bring bondage to children as servants
Nehemiah consulted with himself verse 6 – 19
Was angry concerning treatment of poor
Consulted HIMSELF
Rebuked the nobles and rulers
Told them not to exact usury
Set a great assembly against nobles
Rebuked nobles for sell their brethren
to the heathen
Told nobles to walk in fear of God
Took oath of nobles and a promise
Shook his lap against those who didn’t keep
the promise
Appointed governor for 12 years but did not
eat bread of governor
Fear of God reason for not being like other
Governors
Worked with the people on walls and city
Had 150 eating with him of Jews and Rulers
List of what was eaten each day
Asked God to think well of him because of
his actions
Nobles held their peace verse 8
Congregation said AMEN
and praised the LORD verse 13
People did according to promise verse 13
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
_______________________________________________________________
DONATIONS:
Remember that all donations to Small Church Ministries are greatly appreciated. The treasurer will send a receipt, at the end of the year unless otherwise requested. Please be sure to make check out to “Small Church Ministries.” The address for the treasurer is P.O. Box 604, East Amherst, New York 14051. A second way to give to the ministry is through PayPal on the website: www.smallchurchministries.org. Also, if you can support this ministry through your local church, please use that method. Thank you.
__________________________________________________________________
QUOTES regarding passage
11 “The hundredth part” (mēʾāh) literally means the “hundred” pieces of silver. But in the context it must mean 1 percent, i.e., per month, or as the Vulgate translates it, centesiman pecuniae. Some scholars prefer to emend the word to maššāʾ (“burden”) in the sense of usury as in v.7, but this does not seem warranted. (Yamauchi, E. (1988). Ezra-Nehemiah. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job (Vol. 4, p. 709). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
_________________________________________________________________
Isn’t that the way it always is? You are engaged in some important work. You have been opposed by people who are not Christians and do not share the vision. You have overcome that form of opposition and are pressing on, when suddenly there is a problem within the church or Christian community itself. Often this threat is more of a problem than the external threat. It had been true of Israel before this. During the days of the monarchy, the Jewish states had been opposed by their pagan neighbors. There had been many wars. But when God sent prophets to recall the people to righteousness, it was not the pagans who killed God’s messengers but the Jews themselves. In the same way, an examination of church history will show that the most successful attacks upon the church have come not from unbelievers but from those within, from people who have professed to know God and Jesus Christ. They have been from “Christians” promoting heresy or “believers” denouncing, persecuting, or even killing other Christians.
Who is responsible for most opposition to Christian work today? Is it the government with its radical “separation of church and state” policies? Is it the American Civil Liberties Union with its strong bias against religion? These can be sources of genuine opposition, and they are. But is it not true that the greatest opposition to Christian work today is from those within the church who want a form of godliness but who reject genuine Christianity? (Boice, J. M. (2005). Nehemiah: an expositional commentary (p. 60). Grand Rapids, MI: BakerBooks.)
________________________________________________________________
In Nehemiah 5:10–11, Nehemiah appealed to his own personal practice. He was lending money to the needy, but he was not charging interest or robbing them of their security (Ex. 22:25). Unlike some leaders, Nehemiah was not saying, “Do what I say, not what I do!” He was not a hypocrite; he practiced what he preached. In fact, this chapter will conclude with Nehemiah pointing out all that God had enabled him to do for his people (Neh. 5:14–19). He was a good example as a believer and as a leader.
“The hundredth part” in verse 11 was the interest charged for the money, probably applied monthly, making a total of 12 percent interest a year. This practice had been going on before Nehemiah arrived on the scene and now the people were in despair as they tried to balance the family budget.
A man of action, Nehemiah told the brokers to restore both the interest and the security they had taken from their fellow Jews, as well as the property they had claimed in foreclosure. This drastic step of faith and love would not immediately solve all the economic problems of the people, but it would at least keep the problems from getting worse. It would also give the suffering people opportunity to make a fresh new start. (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). Be Determined (pp. 64–65). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
____________________________________________________________________
5:10–11. Nehemiah’s final action was intensely personal. He referred to his own example and that of others who were already helping those in need by lending them money and grain. He was already doing something about the problem. So he was not asking the people to do something he was not exemplifying in his own life.
Some Bible translations and commentaries suggest that Nehemiah was admitting his own guilt of charging interest on his loans. This, however, seems inconsistent with his high leadership qualities and his charge to the nobles and officials about their guilt (v. 7).
Nehemiah then asked those guilty of exploitation to return what they had taken from others. Mortgaged fields, vineyards, olive groves (the groves are mentioned here for the first time; they were not referred to in vv. 3–5), and houses were to be returned (perhaps with the income made from the grain, new wine, and oil from those fields), charging interest (usury) was to stop, and the interest received from the loans was to be returned. The interest was a 100th part, that is, one percent a month. He emphasized the urgency of this exhortation by asking them to act immediately. (Getz, G. A. (1985). Nehemiah. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 684). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
_________________________________________________________________
5:11 give back to them. To remedy the evil that they had brought, those guilty of usury were to return the property they had confiscated from those who couldn’t pay the loans back, as well as returning the interest they had charged (see notes on Lk 19:2–10). (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Ne 5:11). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
____________________________________________________________________
Ver. 11. Restore, I pray you, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses, &c.] Which they had made over to them for corn they had had, or money they borrowed of them; it is entreated that an immediate restitution be made, and the rather, if what Aben Ezra observes is true, that this was the year of release, when debts were not to be exacted, but forgiven, Deut. 15:1, 2, 3. also the hundredth part of the money, and of the corn, the wine, and the oil, that ye exact of them; the hundredth part of the money might be what they took for usury, as the Romans did in after-times, even so much a month; so that if the loan was 100 pounds, a pound was given every month for it, and so 12 pounds in the year; and the hundredth part of the corn, wine, and oil, might be the hundredth part of those fruits of the earth, which the rulers demanded for their salary, see ver. 15. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 3, p. 138). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
___________________________________________________________________
FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
__________________________________________________________________
Proverbs 31
An excellent wife cares for her home, is kind to the needy, and is an example of good character.
INSIGHT
One view of women is that they are merely caretakers of the home and have no role other than changing diapers, cooking, and cleaning house. Another view seeks to free women from the responsibilities at home. Both are wrong. Women are to care for their homes and maintain certain responsibilities–just as men should. But their role carries with it great flexibility and variety. The Proverbs 31 woman is a skillful, industrious person who models integrity and esteems her home and family highly. (Quiet Walk)
__________________________________________________________
HOW IS THE BIBLE INSPIRED?
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16
What is meant by inspiration? When we say that the Bible is divinely inspired, what exactly do we mean? I start with a negative. We do not mean that certain portions of the Bible are inspired and that others are not. There are some people who think that. There are, they say, portions and particular statements and teachings, especially those concerned with the Lord Jesus Christ, that are inspired. But, they say, the historical books and various other sections are not inspired. Now that is not what we mean when we say that the Bible is divinely inspired.
Neither do we mean simply that the men who wrote the Bible were writing in an exalted or creative way. When a poet produced a masterpiece, you have often heard people say that the poet was “inspired.” But we do not mean that the writers of the books of the Bible were inspired in that way when they came to write these books. Others say they regard inspiration as just meaning that the ideas that were given to the writers were inspired. That is true, of course, but we mean much more than that. Neither does it mean that the books–the writings as such–are the product of human origin onto which the divine breath or afflatus has come.
So what do we mean? We mean that the Scriptures are a divine product breathed out by God. Inspired really means “God-breathed.” We mean that God breathed these messages into men and through them, and these Scriptures are the result of that divine action. We believe that they were produced by the creative breath of Almighty God. Put in a simpler form, we mean that everything we have in the Bible has been given by God to man.
A Thought to Ponder: The Scriptures are a divine product breathed out by God.
(From God the Father, God the Son, pp. 23-24. By Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
Rick Warren:
If you didn’t hear about the “inclusion rider” clause highlighted by Frances McDormand on Sunday night’s Academy Awards, we encourage you to read upabout it. ” Relevant Magazine highlighted how McDormand’s acceptance of her best actress award came with the following statement: “I have two words for you: inclusion rider.”
An inclusion rider is a clause actors put into their contracts to guarantee racial and gender equality on movie sets. As Relevant explains, it “stipulates that they won’t work on a project if the project doesn’t meet certain standards of representation both in front of and behind the camera. For example, a member of Hollywood could put in writing that they won’t sign to be in a movie unless the movie employs a staff that’s at least 50 percent female and people of color. It could also include people with disabilities.”
It’s encouraging to see reform sweep across movie sets in Hollywood, but it also begs the question: Shouldn’t the church be the one leading these efforts? If Hollywood is reacting to the problem of racial division, how much more should the Church?
It’s time we listen up
______________________________________________________________
“Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.” (Ezra 1:2)
It is noteworthy that the words of this verse are almost the same as in the last verse of 2 Chronicles. This is an indication that Ezra the scribe (who wrote the book of Ezra) was also the compiler and editor of the two books of Chronicles.
Even more noteworthy is the fact that the great emperor Cyrus seemed to acknowledge that the God of Israel was not just a tribal god, as many have claimed, but the Lord God of heaven—that is, Jehovah Elohim—recognizing Him as both Creator and Redeemer of the world. The Persians were largely followers of Zoroaster, but his religious system did bear some resemblance to the true monotheism of Israel.
But Cyrus had been called, and even named, by God, long before he was born (Isaiah 44:28–45:6). When he conquered Babylon, the prophet Daniel was there (Daniel 6:28). The Jewish historian Josephus wrote that Daniel even became prime minister under Cyrus and was able to read Isaiah’s remarkable prophecy to him, thus influencing him to send the Jews back to Jerusalem.
There have also been other Gentile rulers who acknowledged God, even before Christ came. Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, once hating God, finally was forced to confess that He was “the most High” and “King of heaven” (Daniel 4:34, 37). Another was the Queen of Sheba, who recognized “the LORD thy God” (again Jehovah Elohim, 1 Kings 10:9). Then there was the king of Nineveh and Assyria, who believed in God at the preaching of Jonah (Jonah 3:6-10). In fact, in the ages to come “the kings of the earth” will all “bring their glory and honour” to the Lord in the holy city (Revelation 21:24).
(HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
________________________________________________________________
THIRD TEMPLE GROUP ISSUES COIN FEATURING IMAGE OF TRUMP (Friday Church News Notes, March 9, 2018,www.wayoflife.org, fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) – The Temple in Zion (Hamikdah Betzion) organization is issuing a half shekel temple tax coin featuring the images of Persian King Cyrus and U.S. President Donald Trump on one side and the Third Temple on the other. This is in recognition of Trump’s support for Israel and his public recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Currently there is no Jewish temple, of course, but the Temple in Zion is one of the groups preparing for the building of the Third Temple. Others are the Temple Institute, the Temple Mount Faithful, and Women for the Temple (who are practicing to bake bread and to dye and weave priests’ vestments, among other things). In 538 BC, Cyrus issued a proclamation ordering the rebuilding of the Second Temple. The Temple in Zion and associated groups hope that President Trump will institute the building of the Third Temple. Hillel Weiss, chairman of the group, says, “The Trump Declaration must continue with a declaration of the role of the Jews in establishing the Temple in its place. Only then will President Trump’s international ambitions come true in the Middle East” (“Israeli Group Issues Temple Tax Coin,” Israel Today, Feb. 26, 2018). Revelation 11 describes the measuring of the Third Temple in the time when the Two Witnesses prophesy in Jerusalem during the first half of the Antichrist’s reign. (Friday Church News Notes by David Cloud)
__________________________________________________________________
Go Figure
With humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves. PHILIPPIANS 2:3
As a man, I like equations and formulas. Their logic rings true: 2 + 2 = 4. You can always count on that. But while equations and formulas work when you’re trying to figure out how much deck stain to purchase at a home-improvement store, they’re not always reliable when it comes to romancing your wife. The same quantity of flowers and love notes that touched her heart so meaningfully a month ago may not have the same effect tonight.
I know. Trust me. I’ve made this mistake many times. Two plus two doesn’t always equal four. Even though I sometimes I wish it did. This is good, Barbara tells me. Your wife wants you to be a student of her. Part of the intrigue and mystery of marriage is in knowing what communicates love to her at any given time. Does she need to get out of town for the weekend—or just have a break for an hour? Does she need a full-body massage—or just a foot rub? Would breakfast in bed make her day—or is taking her to lunch on the menu? Sometimes she likes a planned surprise—perhaps something special you’ve cooked up for the weekend. Other times, though, she enjoys it when you’re impulsive—she’s thrilled to know that she just popped into your mind. Sometimes she’s in the mood for a soak in the tub. Or she’d like a walk in the snow after dark, hand in hand. Focus on what she enjoys doing. Make her feel special. Recognize that she’s not a law of physics but rather a puzzle, one that resists being pieced together, solved and framed on the wall. Beware of thinking that passion and romanceare as predictable as 2 + 2 + 2 = 6.
We’re building a relationship here, not a house addition. (Moments with You Couples by Dennis and Barbara Rainey)
________________________________________________________________
WHILE IT LOOKS LIKE THINGS ARE OUT FO CONTNROL, BEHIND THE SCENES THERE IS A GOD WHO HAS NOT SURRENDERED HIS AUTHORITY.
A.W.TOZER
______________________________________________________________________
We now have a Facebook page for Small Church Ministries – please invite others to join us on Facebook. Thank you. Look for the logo from the devotionals.